Cornerstone Magazine convened their first ever conference on a warm Saturday March 30th day at Woodside Chapel in Fanwood, New Jersey. An estimated 110 attendees from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, and Canada took in the conference whose theme was “So Great Salvation: God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility.” The speakers were David Dunlap […]
George T. Ferrier
Doubtful Things (Part 2)
In part one,1 we looked at two key principles (Rom. 14:1-12) for dealing with inconsequential things,2 recognizing that believers may hold differing opinions on these non-essentials. A third principle exhorts mature Christians to recognize their responsibility for weaker believers (Rom. 14:13-17). The strong should clear the immature’s path, not stumble them (v. 13), they should […]
Doubtful Things (Part 1)
Throughout church history believers have asked, “should a Christian partake in this or that activity?” These questions concern gray areas, choices that believers make in their personal lives that Scripture does not call sin or specifically mention. In Romans 14 Paul compares a believer who was weak in the faith with one who was mature. […]
What is meant by the phrase “Christ emptied Himself” in Philippians 2:7?
This Christmas we have contemplated again the eternal Son’s incarnation. But what did it mean for the transcendent One to draw near? In Philippians 2:7 we read that He “made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant.” The word translated “no reputation” literally means “to empty or abase.”1 In […]
Why do some Christians stop “going to church”?
Some quit because they were never saved (1 Jn. 2:19). However, when genuine believers depart, relational problems are often the root cause. Yet leaving one’s assembly should be the last option. If we must leave, it’s important to find another local church as soon as...
Christ Our Forerunner
C.H. Macintosh said “There are two grand facts which characterize Christianity, and mark it off from all that had gone before; and these are, first, man glorified in heaven; and secondly, God dwelling in man on the earth.” One result of Christ Glorified is the truth of the forerunner, a word found only once in […]
What is the difference between the rapture and the second coming?
Since three nouns used for Christ’s coming can either refer to the rapture (His descent to the air for His church) or to the second coming (His return to earth with His church), the verse’s context is vital to our understanding. The first word is parousia (G3952) meaning “presence,” signifying both the Lord’s arrival and […]
Is it right for a Christian to be cremated?
From biblical times until the middle of the 19th century, believers were typically buried after death. It was not until 1876 that the first American crematory was built in Washington, Pennsylvania1 and 1901 that the first Canadian crematorium was built in Montreal, Quebec.2 Today believers’ opinions vary. Those that choose cremation often cite the high […]
What is the difference between the Day of the Lord and the Day of Christ?
The Day of the Lord is a phrase used in the Old Testament to describe God intervening in earthly affairs with judgment. For example, Babylon’s destruction of Egypt (Eze. 30:3) and Judah’s punishment for idolatry (Joel 1:15; Zeph. 1:7) are both referred to as the Day of the Lord. The Bible also prophesies a future […]
Double-Knotted Security
Sometimes runners will double-knot their laces. Doing so gives them confidence that their shoes will be secured to the end of the race. The Greek word ou mē (G3364) is a composite of two negative words: ou (G3756) meaning not, and mē (G3361) also meaning not. This compounded word significantly drives home the negative meaning, […]